ProMASS News Bureau: Feb 18, 2016:

Prime Minister Narendra Modi today released the guidelines for operationalisation of the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana, which was approved by the Union Cabinet last month. He said at a farmers’ convention in Sherpur village of Sehore district in Madhya Pradesh that this scheme has the solution to problems that the farmers face. Mr Modi said, Crop insurance scheme is in line with One Nation – One Scheme theme. He said, it incorporates the best features of all previous schemes and at the same time, all previous shortcomings have been removed. Mr Modi said the premium rates to be paid by farmers are very low and balance premium will be paid by the Government to provide full insured amount to the farmers against crop loss on account of natural calamities. He said, startup – standup India programme will be implemented in Agriculture sector to improve the techniques of farming. He stressed on the need of organic farming and asked farmers to adopt advance techniques of farming.
The Prime Minister presented a trophy of Krishi Karman Award to chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan. At the function, the Prime Minister was conferred Kisan Mitra and Kisan Hiteshi Samman on behalf of Madhya Pradesh government for his historic decisions in the interest of farmers’ community. Soil health cards and benefits of crop insurance scheme for Kharif were also distributed to farmers. Speaking about the Digital India movement, the Prime Minister said welfare of the farmers is at the core of this initiative. He announced the launch of the digital platform – National Agriculture Market – from the 14th of April, 2016, on the birth anniversary of Babasaheb Ambedkar. This would enable farmers to get a better price for their produce.